Sleeptember

Do you know about the connection between sleep apnea and teeth grinding? At Redwood Dental Smiles in Castro Valley, we want all of our patients to know how to avoid jaw pain and cracked teeth. This month the American Sleep Apnea Association runs its Sleeptember campaign, and part of raising awareness of sleep apnea includes understanding oral health.


Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a condition in which a person’s throat tissue disrupts their airflow while lying down. As a result, they are pulled out of deep sleep throughout the night, leaving them fatigued when they wake up. Sometimes, the body attempts to keep the airways open by moving the jaw during sleep, resulting in teeth grinding (also called bruxism). Teeth grinding can lead to misaligned teeth, jaw pain, and in the most severe cases, broken crowns.


One of the most important points of the Sleeptember campaign is that OSA is common but severely underdiagnosed, and consequently, undertreated. People can get tested for OSA at a sleep clinic. If you suspect that you have OSA or bruxism, we can help by fabricating a custom-fitted night guard. These oral appliances protect patients’ teeth and can help keep their airways open.


Redwood Dental Smiles is operated by Dr. Vijay Munagala at 20212 Redwood Rd, Suite 101, Castro Valley, California, 64546. To schedule an appointment, visit Redwood Dental Smiles or call 510-886-6416.


 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Dental Implants to Replace Teeth

Dr. Vijay Munagala of Redwood Dental Smiles replaces teeth and restores patient smiles with dental implants. Implants are a permanent restorative option for teeth that are missing or have been extracted.  They look and feel like natural teeth, and are the most permanent and efficient means of replacing lost teeth. An implant is placed over a series of appointments because of the healing time required.  Implants are titanium screws inserted through an incision in the gum. Over a period of 3-6 months, the jaw bone heals around the implant to become a solid, stable base for the new tooth. During this time a patient is fitted with a temporary crown, and a custom crown is created to match their smile perfectly. After the jaw bone and gums have healed appropriately, the custom crown is placed in a second minor procedure.  The doctor may need to expose the head of the implant by removing some gum tissue, and the crown will be screwed to the top of the implant.  When this is complete the tooth
Read more

Basics of Dental Hygiene

Do you know the details of good oral hygiene maintenance? We provide deep cleanings at Redwood Dental Smiles in Castro Valley, but good hygiene will prevent most dental problems. If the details of brushing and flossing get a bit hazy there’s no better time than National Oral Hygiene Month for a brush-up. Toothbrushes should either be electric or have soft bristles. If using a non-electric toothbrush, brush your teeth for two minutes per session, twice a day. People with dentures will need to use specialized toothpaste on them, but ordinary toothpaste should meet the average person’s needs. Don’t forget to brush close to the gum line. Horizontal rotations are a good brushing motion to use on the outward-facing sides of the teeth, but you’ll need to move the toothbrush vertically to reach the inward-facing sides. Floss and Waterpiks are both approved by the American Dental Association, but you should never try to pick your teeth with anything that wasn’t specifically made for that purpos
Read more

Prevent Dental Injury with a Mouthguard

Traumatic dental injuries can occur in children and adults. When a tooth is knocked out due to a fall, or from playing a sport, it’s important to take the proper measures to save the tooth and prevent infection. Mouthguards, also called mouth protectors will help cushion a blow to the face and minimize the risk of broken teeth and injuries to the oral cavity. Dr. Vijay Munagala of Redwood Dental can provide a custom-fitted mouthguard for ultimate comfort. An athlete is more likely to experience a mouth injury than a non-athlete, but accidents do happen. When it comes to protecting your mouth from trauma, a mouthguard is an essential piece of equipment. A custom-made mouthguard can be created for a patient and it’s made for your mouth only. One can be made for the upper teeth, lower teeth, or both. To discuss custom-fitted mouthguards, schedule a consultation with Dr. Vijay Munagala today. If you have questions or concerns regarding mouthguards, please give us a call. To learn about the
Read more